schneider



E. SCHNEIDER.

APPARATUS FOR AIMING GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 30.19I1

Patented July 15, 1919.

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APPARATUS FOR AIMING GUNS.

APPLICATION man )uw ao. |911 1,310,139. Patented July 15,1919.

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YE. SCHNE|DER.

APPARATUS FOR AIMING GUNS.

APPLICATION man JULY au. 19u

Patented July 15, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET a.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30| 1917 Patented J 1115AT 15, 1919.

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E. SCHNEIDER.

APPARATUS roR AlMlNG GUNS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1917 5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- Patented July 15, 1919.

THE LoxuMm/A vLANnnR/uxl Co., WASHINGTON. n. CA

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER, 0F LE cREUzoT, FRANCE, ASISIGNR To SCHNEIDER & CIE., 0F PARIS, FRANCE, A LIMITED JOINT-STOCK COMPANY 0F FRANCE.

APPARATUS FOR AIMING GUNS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 15, 1919.

Application iled .Tuly 30, 1917. Serial No. 183,596.

T0 all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EUGNE SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the French Republic, resident of Le Creuzot, France, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Apparatus for Aiming Guns, which is fully set forth in the following speciiication.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved apparatus for aiming guns. Forms of apparatus for aiming guns consisting of a combination of elevating mechanism and sighting mechanism are already known wherein the sighting mechanism connected to one of the trunnions of the gun barrel or of the gun cradle, is movable in rigid connection with a graduated drum bearing on its cylindrical surface indexes of elevations (angles of elevation of the gun barrel) and also if desired, bearing on its base indexes of ranges corresponding to said elevations, each index of ranges corresponding to one and the same type of propelling charge for the same projectile or for different projectiles.

When, with this known apparatus, it is desired to determine for any one of the types of projectiles which it is desired to use, the corresponding propelling charge and the elevation for a given range, the gunner has to consult printed firing tables.

The improved apparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention is designed to do away with all necessity for using firing tables for the purpose of ascertaining the propelling charge to be used and lthe elevation to be given, for ring any given projectile with any given range.

This improved apparatus consists in principle in supplementing the usual drum bearing the indexes of elevations, with an indicating plate which is independent of the said drum and is mounted so as to be capable of movement about the axis of the said drum. This plate is provided with a continuous scale of ranges. Said plate bears also concentrically to this scale and for each of the types of projectiles which the gun may be called upon to fire, two scales divided into as many sectors as there are propelling charges that may have to be used, and consequently as many initial velocities that may be required to be given to these projectiles. In each sector the propelling charge is indicated on one of the divisions, and on the other division there is indicated the elevation which is to be employed in order to produce the range which is read off from the common central scale division.

This plate is a simple indicating disk to be used instead of the firing table. When the gun layer has read ofl'l this plate not only the elevation but the kind of propelling charge corresponding to said elevation for a given range, and for the selected type of projectile, he then makes use of the usual drum for elevations for elevating the gun barrel in the ordinary way by means of the sighting apparatus and the spirit level.

One embodiment of this invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the general arrangement of elevating apparatus and sighting apparatus in combination with the improved indicating apparatus forming the subject matter of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in cross section along the axis of the trunnions of the gun cradle.

Fig. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section on the line III-III of Fig. 2, the divisions of the plate being visible through a window in a casing that is fixed to a support pivoted to one of the trunnions of the gun cradle.

Fig. l is a corresponding view showing the opening in the indicating plate in coincidence with the window in the casing, and the plate fixed in this position.

The gunner is then able to read through the window the scale divisions of ranges corresponding to the different types of projectiles, that are marked on the base of the usual elevation drum.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the indicating plate showing through the opening in the said plate and after part has been broken away, the scale divisions of the ranges of the elevation drum in rigid connection with the sighting apparatus; the plate being assumed to be fixed in the position shown in Fig. 4.

In these figures, A indicates the general arrangement of the sighting apparatus of any known ltype and comprising a spirit level B. This general arrangement is mounted in a known manner so as to be capable of being displaced angularly about an axis X-X parallel to the axis Y- Y of the trunnions of the gun barrel or gun cradle. This displacement may be given to the apparatus by an actuating mechanism such as a worm screw D whose spindle l is journaled in a support formed in a. casing E fixed to the bracket F around which the apparatus can rotate. In rigid connection with the sighting apparatus, the screw D actuates by means of a separate screw-thread with a suitable reduction of speed, a drum of elevations C. The said drum bears on its cylindrical surface the usual 'scale divisions (in twentieths of a degree for instance) visible through a window e in the casing E. (See Fig. 2.) A register mark provided in the metal of the casing, projects over the window e.

On the outer surface of its base the drum C is provided with two scales of ranges C1 and C2 (divided for instance into hundreds of meters). These divisions represent the ranges corresponding to the elevations located opposite them on the cylindrical surface of the drum when the gun is iired with a single given propelling charge; the scale C1 being used for firing one ty )e of projectile (for instance a steel shell while the other scale C2 represents the ranges for firing with the same reduced charge another type of projectile (for instance a shell of steeled cast iron or a shrapnel shell).

For the sake of clearness of the drawings and of the description, it is assumed that the apparatus is designed solely for two types of projectiles; it is however to be understood that the drum may be provided with scales of ranges C1, C2, etc., corresponding in number with lthe number .of types of projectiles which the gun may be called upon to fire.

In the outer base of the casing E there is provided a window E2 in which there is formed a radial register mark G.

In a bearing E3 formed in the end of the casing E along the axis X-X, there is pivoted on a journal k the indicating plate H which can be turned by hand by means of a knurled knob I.

This plate H is formed with an Opening H1 which can be brought opposite the window! E2 of the casing when it is desired to read through the said windowthe scale of ranges C1, G2, etc., engraved on the drum of elevations C. This is the position shown in Fig. el. The plate may however vbe iixed in this position on the casing E, IJfor instance by means of the simple device shown. A spiral spring J is engaged with one end y' in the bearing E3, while its other end jl which is bent outward, bears against the inner surface of the knurled knob I. (See Fig. 3.) When the said knob has been operated so as to bring the plate H into the position shown in Fig. 4, the end jl of the spring will engage in a notch z' formed in the inner surface of the knob I.

On its outer face the plate H bears, starting from one edge of the opening H1, a continuous divided scale K of ranges (Fig. 5) common to all the types of projectiles.

For each of the types of projectiles that are employed, the circumference of the plate H is divided into a series of consecutive sectors L, L1, L2, L3, L4, etc., each of these sectors corresponds to the use of one kind of propelling charge for the ranges comprised between its ends on the divided scale K. For instance the outer sector L corresponds to the use of the propelling charge 00, for ranges varying between 10500 and 12000 meters with a projectile of steeled cast iron. The inner sector L corresponds to the use of the charge 00, for ranges varying between 8400 and 10200 meters with a steel projectile.

In each of the sectors there are inscribed opposite the ranges the elevations for each of the types of projectiles. Thus for instance for a range of 11500 meters, with a propelling charge 00 and a shell of steeled cast iron, the gun barrel should receive the elevation 730 (z'. e., 730 twentieths of a degree).

Similarly, for a range of 10000 meters, with the propelling lcharge 00 and a steel shell, the gun barrel should receive the elevation 7 7 3 twentieths of a degree.

It will be perceived that by simply reading off the indicating plate H, the gunner will be able to ascertain at once the kind of propelling charge w-hich he must use, as well as the corresponding elevation to be given to the gun barrel for any Oiven range and any onelof the types of projectiles that is to be usec.

When once these indications have been ascertained, the elevation of the gun barrel is effected in the usual manner. If the elevation to be given -to the gun barrel is for instance 7 73 twentieths of a degree, the division 7 7 3 on drum C' must be brought opposite the register mark E1, and this operation, assuming the axis of the gun barrel to be horizontal, will have the result of inclining the sighting apparatus through an angle of 7 7 3 twentieths of a degree.

Then by operating the elevating mechanism of the gun in such a manner as to bring back the sighting apparatus into its vertical position, which is indicated by the return of the bubble of the spirit level B between its register marks, the axis of the gun barrel will receive the 'desired inclination.

As hereinbefore stated, when it is desired to fire different types of projectiles, while using always the same reduced charge, the elevation of the gun may be eiected by simply moving the scale of ranges C1, C2, etc., corresponding to the desired type of projec'tile, into the requisite position by actuating the screw D; said scale being placed in such a manner that the selected range shall lbe situated opposite the register mark G of the casing. First, however, the opening II1 of the disk H will have been brought into coincidence with the window of the casing (Fig, 4).

What I claim is l. For use with combined apparatus for sighting and elevating guns, the combination with the usual drum bearing a scale of elevations, of a disk mounted so as to be freely movable around the axis of said drum, bearing a continuous scale of ranges and also provided, opposite to said scale of ranges, with a series of consecutive sectors corresponding each to one kind of propelling Charge, each of said series bearing a scale of elevations corresponding to each type of the various projectiles which are to be fired from the gun, whereby the gundayer, without consulting ring tables, can, from a direct reading of the disk, ascertain the propelling charge and the gun elevation required to project to any desired range any desired one of the various types of projectiles for which the said disk is divided.

2. For use with combined apparatus for sighting and elevating guns, the combination `with the usual drum bearing a scale of elevations, of -a disk mounted so as to be freely dearth movable around the axis of said dnum, bearing a continuous scale of ranges and also proviclecl,a" p'posite to said scale of ranges, with a ser-ies of consecutive sectors corresponding each to one kind of propelling charge, each of said series bearing a scale of elevations corresponding to each type of the various projectiles which are to be ire'd from the gun, and a casing having a window, inclosing said disk and said elevation drum, said disk having an aperture from one edge yof which 'the scales on said disk start, said aperture having the same dimensions as those of said window in said casing, whereby when said aperture has been brought and locked into `a position of coinciden-ce with said window, the gun-layer Will be able to read through 'said Window the numbers denoting the propelling charge 4and gun elevation that are required to be employed with any desired type of projectile and any desired range.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specilication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EUGENE SCHNEIDER.

Genies of this patent may be obtained tor ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

